Act IV
Scene One
Time: Saturday morning. 12 months later.
The Youngers were well settled in their new home. Though they’d run into many encounters with the neighbors, you could tell they were still on a high from moving in. The neighbors understood this as well, some didn’t like the fact that there were blacks in their neighborhood. They especially didn’t like the proudness of these blacks, but they began to deal with it. The Youngers had learned to cope with the spitefulness of their neighbors. The Younger’s become immune to the hatred of the whites because every Youngers’ hopes and dreams give them something to have faith in.
The Younger’s new house is starting to see new light. The weathered couch, doesn’t seem so old anymore. There’s something new in this room, a new carpet, recently bought by Walter as a christmas gift to Mama. They all appreciate this new carpet because it is a sign that they don’t have to hide their weariness. It is a refreshing sight and part of their new beginning.
This Saturday morning the Youngers are wide awake and off to a busy day. With this mortgage, there’s been no time to rest. First awake is Ruth who’s accompanied by Walter Lee the third who bounces in her arms as they make their way down the stairs.
Ruth: Good morning my little sunshine!
(This is responded with a playful giggle from her 6 month old son.)
Walter makes his way downstairs, still half asleep.
Walter: Good mornin’ baby and lil Walt. What are you doing up so early? (he asks
playfully to his son) Let me have ‘em. (Walter reaches and delicately grabs his son
from his wife. He playfully tickles lil Walt.)
Ruth: (in a calm manner) What kind of eggs you want this morning?
Walter: Scrambled.
(Ruth starts toward the fridge, grabs the eggs, and begins to scramble them. Walter comes behind her and kisses her cheek.)
Walter: You know I love you woman!
Ruth: (giggly) I know.
(Smiling to herself, Ruth notices how happy Walter has been since the baby had arrived. She couldn’t remember a time he had told her how much he loved her, at least not this much. )
Next Mama enters, followed by a half awake Beneatha, and Travis.
Mama: Good morning y’all. How is everybody doin’?
Walter: Good Mama, how you feelin’?
Mama: I’m good baby. The Jones family don’t need me to clean up today since they
outta town this week, so I’m going to stay home and work in my garden
today.
Ruth: Well then you stay here and enjoy your day Lena. You will have the whole house to
yourself today.
Beneatha: What time is it y’all?
Walter: It’s ten til 8 o’clock. Where you got to be, headin’ to Africa with mister Asi-gay?
Beneatha: First of all, his name is Asagai! Second of all, no I have to be at school at 9
and third of all, why are you always making fun of him?
Walter: Girl, because I can.
Mama: Y’all to stop, it’s too early for this! (looking over at Ruth and shaking her head) I
guess somethings never change. What is that saying? (pauses. She shakes her
head and moves her finger) You can take the brother and sister out the ghetto, put
them in a house, but you can’t take the ghetto out of brother and sister.
Ruth laughs and nods in agreement.
An hour has passed and everyone’s out the house. Mama gets up and puts her Coffee on then remembers that she forgot to get the mail. Mama gets to the end of the end of the driveway and notices her young neighbor, next door reaching in her own mailbox. When the neighbor turns toward mama. Mama is startled by the bruises on the girl, including a left black eye.
Mama: (whispering to her self) Laudy a mercy!
Mama takes a deep breath and smiles.
Mama: Good mornin’!
Wide eyed and afraid, she looks back at her house to a door opening and her husband exiting for work. The woman hurries up the driveway toward her husband. She attempts to fix his tie, but is shoved away. He begins barking at her and briskly gets in his car and drives off. The girl remembers Mama standing by her mailbox.
Elaine: (shyly) Good morning. I’m Elaine.
Mama: Would you like some coffee Elaine?
She looks around in all directions making sure no one is around.
Elaine: That’d be nice.
Mama walks to the porch and waits as Elaine makes her way up the driveway. Once inside the house, Mama gestures for her to sit at the kitchen table. Mama places a saucer in front of her and notions toward the remaining pieces of sweet potato pie.
Mama: Baby life for me ain’t been no crystal stairs. Everyone has troubles, some bigger
than others.
Elaine: You remind me of Minny, our black maid back home in Mississippi. She always
knew when something was wrong. (chuckling) Minny always told me he wasn’t the
one. She said he would take away more dreams than he brought.
Mama: (chuckles) Baby, I kno’ mo’ about dreams being takin’ away, held back, and left in the dust than most.
Elaine: (feeling comfortable now with Mama) John just got a little upset about me applyin’ to nursing school and my acceptance letter arrivin’ yesterday. I did it without his
permission, so his anger got the best of him.
While Elaine is talking, mama has removed the plant from the windowsill and picks the dead leaves off.
Mama: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up? (looking into Elaine’s eyes)
Or fester like a sore? (explaining in a tender way) This here plant done brought
me hope and healed all my scars. When I didn’t think we’d make it, there here
plant always grew a new leaf, in dry days, rainy days, and not so good days. Child
maybe all you need is some hope of your own. Take this ‘chere plant home with chu’ and discover the leaves.
Elaine: (carefully grabs the plant) I will watch out for it, for a lil while.
Mama: There will be leaves that fall, but the more hope you have. the more it will grow.
As time passes Mama notices Elaine’s healing from different bruises, one including a broken arm. John comes and goes without ever acknowledging the Youngers’ existence next door. After weeks of not seeing Elaine, Mama begins to worry. One morning on the way to retrieve the mail, she asks the husband how's the Misses? He turns, fully facing Mama, spits on the ground and pulls the tip of his hat farther down attempting to cover a black eye. He enters his car and drives away. Mama walks into the house with the mail, sits down for her coffee and pie, as she goes through the mail she finds a handwritten note addressed to her, with a nursing school crest.
